USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 35
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in Germany, was brought to the United States as a child of two years, and still survives her husband as a resident of Evansville. They became the parents of five children : Edgar ; Otto and Harry, twins, fifty-three years of age; Mrs. Thomas R. Corn and Mrs. B. Lewis. Edgar Durre attended the public schools of Evansville, following which he pursued a course in the University of Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1895, when only twenty years of age, with the degree of Bachelor of Law. It had been his inten- tion to return to the university for further preparation, but was offered the position of deputy prosecutor of Evansville, or a like position at Cincinnati. Eventually he chose the former and was deputy under A. J. Clark for four years, after which he was elected prosecuting attorney and served four years. In 1905, he was sent to the State Senate, defeating his opponent, Doctor Busse, by a majority of about 1500, but declined to run for a second term, instead inducing Walter Legeman to make the race. He assisted in pushing Legeman's campaign, but the latter died, and at a special election in the latter part of 1908, Judge Durre defeated his oppon- ent, Bertelsen, and served out the 1911 session. In 1905, Judge Durre had been a candidate for mayor of the city, but was defeated by John W. Boehne. He first became a candidate for the office of judge of the Superior Court in 1914, but was defeated by Judge Hostetter. Judge Durre's first law connection was as a member of the firm of Clark & Durre, later was senior member of Durre & Curry, and still later of Durre & Wittenbriker. He continued in active practice until 1922, during which time he was identified with numerous important interests. At the time of the death of Judge Tracewell, in August, 1922, Judge Durre was appointed to fill out the unexpired term, by the Governor, and in November of the same year was elected judge of the Superior Court, where he has since officiated in a dignified, capable and conscientious manner. Judge Durre has always been interested in lodge work, and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has been a member of Beth Evangelical Church for many years, is president of the church council and has been a mem- ber of the board of trustees for the past three years. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, and his political affiliation is with the Republican party. November 24, 1897, Judge Durre married Julia Mae, daughter of Mark and Amelia McCutchan, pioneers of Vanderburgh county, and to this union there has come one daugh- ter: Jeannette, who was born October 22, 1912.
Wallace C. Dyer, M. D. Of the men devoted to the science of healing at Evansville, none bring to bear upon their calling larger gifts of scholarship and ability than Dr. Wallace C. Dyer. Far from selecting his life work in the untried enthusiasm of extreme youth, the choice of this genial practitioner was that of a mature mind, trained to thoughtfulness by years of experience as a journal- ist and to a full realization of the possibilities and opportunities, as well as the responsibilities, which confronted him. Doctor Dyer
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was born at Morganfield, Kentucky, January 10, 1880, and was ten years of age when brought to Evansville, where he acquired his early education in the graded and high schools. He then pursued a course at Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, from which he was graduated in 1900, and at that time entered journal- ism. Eventualy he became city editor of the Evansville Courier, a post which he held until 1908, when he gave up newspaper work and became a student in the medical department of the University of Colorado. He was graduated with his degree in 1912, following which he took one and one-half years of post-graduate work at Harvard University. On his return he engaged in practice at Evansville, and was so occupied until America's entrance in the World war, when, in 1917, he entered the United States Army Medical Corps. In all, he spent some twenty-nine months in the service, and, having entered as a first lieutenant, was honorably dis- charged with the rank of major, in November, 1919, at Oteen, North Carolina. He then returned to Evansville and at once resumed the practice of his profession, as a specialist in the treatment of diseases and surgery of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He occupies offices at No. 215 Cleveland Life Building. To a thorough professional equipment, Doctor Dyer adds a kindly and sympathetic manner, a genuine liking for his calling and a ready adaptation to its mul- titudinous and exacting demands. He is a member of the Vander- burgh County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, is secretary of the Evans- ville Board of Health, belongs to the Lancet Club and is a member of the staffs of St. Mary's and Deaconess Hospitals. He is also a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner and a member of the Rotary Club, the American Legion and the Service Club. In 1908, Dr. Dyer married Miss Eva Knapp, of Evansville, and they have one son : Wallace Knapp, who was born September 10, 1912.
Charles J. Eichel. Science in the household has become a familiar demand, and the old domestic methods, one by one, are being discarded to accommodate modern ways that revolutionize in large degree the arduous tasks that formerly confronted every housekeeper. Thus the modern laundry has become recognized as one of the most helpful of industries, and conducted as the present excellent laws require, along sanitary lines, gives relief from hard household labor, while its results are more generally satisfactory than are possible of attainment in the ordinary home. A leading establishment in this line is the White Swan Laundry, of Evans- ville, of which, Charles J. Eichel, is president. Mr. Eichel was born at Evansville, June 19, 1873, and is a son of Jacob and Laura (Loewenthal) Eichel. Jacob Eichel was born January 14, 1842, and was about sixteen years of age when he took up his residence at Evansville. He has been identified with the city's progress for half a century, always taking a leading part in civic and industrial en- terprises. He it was who inaugurated the first movement that resulted in giving Evansville an electric light plant, the first brick-
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paved streets, and the first packing house. In earlier years he was an extensive dealer in leaf tobacco and for the last twenty years he has been active in the construction of government locks and dams. He was also a power in Democratic politics, and for some years was a member of the city council. Mrs. Jacob Eichel was born in Evansville, July 19, 1852. They are the parents of William; Charles J .; Samuel ; Sidney J., a physician of Evansville; Leslie P., editor of the Evansville Press; Mrs. M. A. Strouse, wife of a member of Strouse & Bros. of Evansville; and Miss Florita. Charles J. Eichel was educated in the public schools of Evansville, the International College, Geneva, Switzerland, and the Real Gym- nasium, Cassel, Germany. He has traveled extensively, and is a linguist of ability. On completing his education he became con- nected with Brentano's book stores, at New York and Washington, D. C., but in 1893 resigned his position and returned to Evansville to embark in business on his own account. Here he started the White Swan Laundry, which, starting in a small way, has developed extensively, until now it is one of the largest in this section of the state. Other concerns directed by Mr. Eichel are the Family Wet Wash Laundry, Paramount Cleaners and Dyers and the Boston Shoe Repair Company. The respect and confidence in which he is held by his business associates is exemplified in the fact that he has been honored by election to the position of president of the Indiana Laundry Owners' Association, a position which he occupies at this time. He was one of the first members of the local Elks Lodge, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Evansville Country Club. Mr. Eichel married Miss Carrie Beasley, of Newburg, Indiana, and they have one son, Charles J., Jr.
Sidney J. Eichel, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of Vanderburgh county, is successfully engaged in practice at Evans- ville. Ability has given him a wide reputation, and as a conse- quence he is now enjoying a large and liberal clientele. Doctor Eichel was born at Evansville, in June, 1876, and is a son of Jacob Eichel, a resident of this city. Doctor Eichel received his early education in the public schools of his native place and after his graduation from high school became a student of the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, from which he was duly graduated with his degree of Doctor of Medicine as a member of the class of 1898. He then took a trip abroad, doing post-grad- uate work in leading universities at Berlin and Vienna and serving as an interne in a hospital at Buda-Pesth, and in 1900 returned to the United States and again took up his residence at Evansville, where he has since been engaged in practice. He specializes in general and abdominal surgery and maintains offices at No. 511 Citizens Bank Building. Doctor Eichel keeps fully abreast of the advance- ments being made in his calling, and each year takes post-graduate work at one of the leading colleges or universities. He is a member of the Baby Clinic Staff of St. Mary's Hospital, is past vice-presi-
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dent and president of the Vanderburgh County Medical Society, president of the Ohio Valley Medical Association for 1923, and a member of the Radiological Society of North America. During the World war Doctor Eichel held the rank of captain in the Medi- cal Corps, I. S. M., and also was a member of the County Council of Defense. He belongs to a number of other organizations, in- cluding the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Optimist Club, the Clearcrest Club, the Country Club and the Lancet Club. His business connections include a directorship in the White Swan Laundry of Evansville. September 18, 1906, Doctor Eichel was united in marriage with Miss Rose Bonn Reinhart, of Henderson, Kentucky, and they are the parents of one son : Jacques Sidney, who was born at Evansville, April 30, 1909.
Hon. William H. Elmendorf. Few city officials can point to better records for capable and conscientious service than Hon. Wil- liam H. Elmendorf, mayor of Evansville. Known in Vanderburgh county for thirty-four years as an expert horseshoer, the chief execu- tive has displayed marked executive ability in a number of public offices, and as a man of strict honesty and high ideals of citizenship has given the city an excellent administration and won the unqualified confidence of the people. Mr. Elmendorf was born at Evansville. June 2, 1866, and is a son of Henry William and Julia (Decker) Elmendorf, natives of Germany. His father was born in 1830 and was nineteen years of age when he accompanied his sister and brothers to the United States, settling in German township, Vanderburgh coun- ty, in 1849. In his youth he had learned the trade of cigar maker, and this he followed for some years, also giving a part of his attention to the grocery business. In his later years he carried on a real estate and collection business, and for a time prior to his death had acted as bookkeeper and collector for his son. A man of strictest integrity, he was held in high esteem by his many acquaintances, and many mourned, his death, which occurred November 16, 1917, when he was eighty-seven years of age. He was a charter member of Lessing Lodge of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Elmendorf was known as "Squire," by reason of his long and capable service as Justice of the Peace. He was first elected to that office in German township and served one term, but in 1863 moved to Evansville. In 1886 he was elected to the same office for Pigeon township, and in 1890 was again elected to this office, thus serving three terms, or twelve years. He was impartial and diligent in the discharge of his duties. and made an enviable official record. Squire Elmendorf was twice married, his first wife being Miss Lucy A. Nightingale, of Evansville, by whom he had four daughters and two sons. In June, 1864, he married Julia Decker, who died June 27, 1899, and they were the parents of four sons and four daughters. Wiliam H. Elmendorf acquired his educa- tion in the public schools, and after leaving eighth grade, began to ap- ply himself to learning the horseshoer's trade. He started when he was seventeen years of age, becoming a professional horseshoer, and
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when twenty-three years of age, in 1889, opened an establishment of his own, which has been in operation ever since, a period of thirty- four years. This has been limited exclusively to horseshoeing, and Mr. Elmendorf is one of the best known men in this business in the state, having been formerly state president, state secretary and state treasurer of the Master Horseshoers' Protective Association, of Indi- ana. From young manhood he has been interested in public affairs, and in 1914 was elected a member of the City Council. After serving a four-year term, he was again elected to office, but after two years left the Council, in January, 1920, to take up the duties of city comp- troller, to which office he had been appointed. At the time of the death of Mayor Bosse, in April 1922, he succeeded to the mayoralty and has since handled the reins of the chief executive office in a splendid manner. Mayor Elmendorf belongs to many of the local clubs and civic organizations and is a member of Bethel Evangelical Church. October 31, 1889, Mayor Elmendorf was united in mar- riage with Lillie, daughter of John and Eva (Heilman) Jourdan, an old and highly respected Evansville family. Four children have been born to Mayor and Mrs. Elmendorf: Willard, who is deceased; Lil- lian G. who resides with her parents, is a graduate of the Evansville High School, later attended Indiana University and is also a graduate of the Indiana State Normal School. She is a teacher in the Public Schools of this city, and is actively engaged in Sunday School work both locally and generally in the Evangelical Church ; Edna, a graduate of the Evansville High School, is especially interested in music. She married Henry F. Kleymeyer, Jr. and resides in this city; Raymond A. after graduating from the Evansville High School entered Purdue, and later attended the University of Wisconsin to study civil engi- neering. He enlisted during the World War and served a year with the 29th Engineer's Corps, Company G, overseas. He is interested in the Boy Scout movement, and is a member of the Red Cross Life Sav- ing Corps. He is identified with the Morris Plan Bank, of Evansville, of which he is assistant secretary. The family home at 804 Second Avenue is a hospitable one, and is the scene of social, educational and philanthropic activities.
Henry Emig. Prominent among the younger generation of business men at Evansville who have found the opportunity of making a business success and are thereby developing rapidly, is Henry Emig, a member of the board of directors and assistant superintendent of the Key Coal Company. This is one of the growing concerns of Evans- ville, and to its advancement Mr. Emig is contributing enthusiasm and vigor. He was born May 14, 1896, at Evansville, a 'son of Mar- tin and Mary (Joest) Emig. His father, a native of Germany, re- ceived a common school education, and at the age of fifteen years came to the United States, settling at Evansville, where he found employ- ment with Mr. Evans, who was proprietor of the Evansville Dry Goods Store. Later Mr. Emig embarked in business on his own ac- count, and from 1897 to 1917 was proprietor of the Manhattan, a well-known establishment at Fifth and Main Street. He made a de-
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cided success of this enterprise, and in 1918 became the organizer of the present Key Coal Company, which derives its name from the peculiar location of the mines operated by the company. Mr. Emig is president of this company, the other officers of which are: Louis Geupel, vice president ; Julius Rastatter, treasurer ; and Dr. Norman I. Haas, secretary. For twenty years Mr. Emig has been identified with the Knights of St. John, in which he is colonel of the Sixth Dis- trict Battalion. He was formerly captain of Commandery No. 250, the crack drill squad, which won several first prizes in drilling at national conventions. He likewise has a number of civic connections and is widely and favorably known in business circles of Evansville. Henry Emig attended the Holy Trinity schools of Evansville, follow- ing which he pursued a commercial course at Jasper Business College. He then entered the employ of the Key Coal Company, with which he has since been identified, being now a member of the directorate, as well as assistant superintendent. In 1917 he was united in marriage with Miss Flora Rastatter, of Evansville, daughter of Julius Rastat- ter, and to this union there have been born two children: William and Kathryn Ann.
Frank Endress. In the long and honorable career of Frank Endress, who has been engaged in business as a grocer of Evansville for more than a half a century, there is again found exemplification of the fact that industry and perseverance, if combined with sufficient ability can overcome obstacles and achieve success. From the time that he was nine years of age, peddling brooms on the street, Mr. Endress has been a hard and persistent worker, one who has found contentment and success in his labors. He was born at Evansville in 1854, a son of Joachim and Catherine (Uhrig) Endress, the former a native of Germany who was brought to the United States when a child. Mr. Endress's paternal grandfather served as a soldier during the War of 1812, in which he was severely wounded, but recovered and lived to reach the remarkable age of ninety-four years. Joachim Endress was a shoemaker by trade and followed that vocation during early life, but later turned his attention to the grocery business, having been the founder of the business now conducted by his son. Frank Endress attended the parochial school of Trinity Catholic Church par- ish during his youth, and when he was but nine years of age began to assist in the support of the family by peddling brooms on the streets of Evansville. This made him the object of derision on the part of other thoughtless lads of his own age, but he was of sufficiently solid fibre to swallow their taunts and to keep steadfastly at his labors. Thus he was able to build up a sufficient trade so that in time he be- came.the owner of a peddler's wagon and horse and materially in- creased his profits. At the time of the death of Mrs. Joachim Endress, Frank Endress and one of his brothers took over the grocery busi- ness which had been founded by their father, and in time Mr. Endress bought out his brother and became sole proprietor of the establish- ment at 301 Grant Street, of which he has since been the owner. He has remodeled and enlarged the building several times and now has a
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modern grocery and meat market combined, catering to the best of trade and handling only high grade goods. Mr. Endress, during his fifty-two years of business, has taken his place among the solid busi- ness men of the south side of the city. He is president of the Grocers Chemical Works, of the Mount Vernon Starboard Company, and is interested in the North Side Realty Company and the Mercantile- Commercial Bank. He holds liberal views in regard to politics. Fra- ternally, he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, and he and the members of his family belong to the Catholic church. August 5, 1884, Mr. Endress was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Frei- haut, of Vanderburgh county, and to this union there have been born the following children : Frank J., secretary and treasurer of the Gro- cers Chemical Works; Jacob, a graduate of Jasper College, and pro- prietor of the Central Grocery Company; Otillia, who is the wife of Maurice Garvey, engaged in the insurance business with Bennett & Hutchinson; George, who served in the army for six months during the World war, being overseas about three months, and now assisting his father in the conduct of the grocery business; Loretta, who is the wife of Andrew Foster, engaged in the insurance business ; Anna, who is assisting her father in the store; Mary, the wife of Adam Ziemer; Clemens, who spent fifteen months, twelve of them overseas, as a mem- ber of the United States Army Medical Corps during the World war, now a director in the Grocers Chemical Works; Edmund, who is as- sistant secretary of the Grocers Chemical Works; Victor, who is assisting his father in the store ; William, who is attending high school ; Norbert who is attending college at Rensselaer; Isabel, the wife of Oliver Weaver, with Vogue's men's furnishings store; and Rosalie, the wife of Joseph Stone, connected with the Steckler Grocery Com- pany.
Daniel M. Fairchild. Among the prominent business houses and leading individuals of a large city there are to be found many who do not maintain an auditing or accounting department, preferring to have this matter done for them by outsiders at stated intervals. This is the manner of work that comes within the scope of the expert audi- tor and public accountant, whose highly specialized training has equipped him thoroughly for the handling of such work. Among those who are fitted for this labor by inclination, nature and training at Evansville, one of the best known is Daniel M. Fairchild, who main- tains offices in the Citizens Bank Building, and who has a large and constantly-growing clientele. Mr. Fairchild was born in Vanderburgh county, Indiana, September 4, 1873, and is a son of R. F. and Mar- garet Fairchild. His father, a native of the same county, born in Sep- tember, 1837, learned house painting as a trade in his youth, and, developing into a painting contractor, continued to follow that business throughout his life, dying in 1908. Until he was sixteen years of age, Daniel M. Fairchild pursued his education in the graded and high schools of Evansville, and then, desirous of preparation that would fit him for a public career, took a six-month course at the Evansville Commercial College, where he specialized in the kind of studies that
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would develop his ability along the line that he has made his life's vocation. At the time of his graduation he secured a position with the Bank of Commerce, at Evansville, where he remained in the capacity of bookkeeper for five years, and then spent three years as book- keeper in charge of the Mechanic's Foundry. His next connection was with the Heilman Machine Works, as accountant and auditor, bookkeeper and cashier, and at the end of five years felt competent to handle a business venture of his own and accordingly embarked upon an independent career, specializing as a public accountant, and in his chosen field has been very successful. He is now located on the ninth floor of the Citizens Bank building, where he maintains a well-ap- pointed suite of offices. He has developed a good clientele and has the names of some of the city's leading firms and individuals on his books. Politically, Mr. Fairchild is a Republican. He is a thirty-sec- ond degree Mason, belonging to Reed Lodge No. 316, F. & A. M .; Evansville Chapter No. 12, R. A. M .; Simpson Council No. 23, R. & S. M. ; La Vallette Commandery No. 15, K. T. and Evansville Lodge of Perfection of the Scottish Rite, and also belongs to Hadi Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He holds membership in the local lodge of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, the Evansville Chamber of Com- merce, the Country Club and the American Society of Certified Pub- lic Accountants. In the year 1915 he was made a Certified Public Accountant by the State of Indiana, his certificate bearing the number 34, and the date of April 17, 1915. On March 31, 1907 Mr. Fairchild was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Townsend of Evansville.
Herrmann Fendrich. No name is more intimately associated with the industrial history of Evansville and Vanderburgh county than is that of Fendrich, members of that family having long been the guiding spirits in the city's largest individual manufacturing enter- prise, the H. Fendrich cigar manufacturing company. The business was founded by Herrmann Fendrich, a native of Germany. who was born in Baden, that country, April 14, 1830, the son of Joseph and Walburga (Schieble) Fendrich. Joseph Fendrich was born in 1804 and lived until 1850, while his wife, whom he married May 30, 1824, was born in 1799 and died in 1849. They were the parents of six children, five born in Germany and one in Baltimore, as follows: Joseph, born March 27, 1825; Charles, born April 4, 1826; Francis, born March. 22, 1829; Herrmann, born April 14, 1830; Amelia, born February 15, 1828 and died in the same year ; and John, born in Bal- timore July 24, 1834. Coming to America in 1833, Joseph Fendrich and his family stopped a short time in New York City and then moved on to Baltimore. There the father established himself in a cooperage business, having had experience in that line in his native country. The five sons early became interested in the tobacco business in Baltimore, soon going into business for themselves. In 1850, Herrmann Fendrich came to Evansville in order that he might be close to the Kentucky tobacco district, and here he was soon joined by his brother Francis. The present vast Fendrich business is the outgrowth of the plug to- bacco factory started here by the five Fendrich brothers and conducted
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